2011 - 2012 Honda XR 650L

Make Model	Honda XR 650L
Year	2011 - 2012
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder SOHC, 4 valve
Capacity	644 cc / 39.35 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	100 x 82.6 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Lubrication	Dry sump
Oil Capacity	1.9 Litres
Induction	40 mm Diaphragm-type CV carburetor
Ignition	Solid-state CDI
Starter	Electric
Max Power	43.6 hp / 32.1 kW @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque	51.9 Nm / 5.3 kgf-m / 38.2 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	#520 O-ring-sealed chain; 15T/45T
Gear Ratio	1st 2.66 2nd 1.64 3rd 1.25 4th 1.00 5th .84
Clutch	Heavy duty multi-plate clutch
Front Suspension	43 mm Showa forks, 16-way adjustable preload
Front Wheel Travel	294 mm / 11.6 in
Rear Suspension	Pro-link Kayaba fully adjustable
Rear Wheel Travel	280 mm / 11 in
Front Brakes	Single 240 mm disc 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Single 240 mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tyre	80/100-21
Rear Tyre	110/100-18
Rake	27°
Trail	102 mm / 4.0 in
Wheelbase	1455 mm / 57.3 in
Ground Clearance	330 mm / 13.0 in
Seat Height	940 mm / 37 in
Dry Weight	147 kg / 324 lbs
Wet Weight	158 kg / 348 lbs
Fuel Capacity	10.6 Litres / 2.8 US gal

The new XR650L is born from its existing legend, having garnered some serious tortuous miles in Baja over the years since it first came on the scene. Not a bad pedigree for a dual-sport machine.

The 650 is a street legal, multi-purpose bike, capable of handling demanding off-road routes, single-track, winding fire roads, paved roads, highways and freeways. As the press material states, "The XR650L serves as the key that opens the door to riding adventures and good times."

The XR650L is a classic stalwart Honda, a bike you can pound relentlessly and not have to worry about breaking. Just keep the chain lubed and adjusted and the air filter clean, and you can pretty much embark on as far flung an adventure as you can dream up. This is why the 650 has earned such a devoted following over the years. We can only guess at how many memorable moments have come courtesy of this machine.

Bold new graphics for 2012 are wrapped around the 644cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-valve SOHC four-stroke engine (bore & stroke: 100mm X 82mm). Carburetion is 42.5mm diaphragm-type CV. Five-speed transmission feeds power to the rear wheel via a #520 O-ring sealed chain.

Suspension, following with Honda tradition, is all Showa; 43mm air-adjustable leading axle cartridge forks (with 16-position compression damping adjustability for 11.6-inches of travel) on the front, and a Pro-Link Showa single shock on the rear (20-position compression and 20-position rebound damping adjustability) for 11.0-inches of rear wheel travel.

Single disc rotors front and rear with a twin-piston caliper on the front provide braking (front wheel; 3.00-21", rear wheel; 4.60-18").

The 650 has a 57.3-inch wheelbase and seat height-for the in-seam challenged-is a relatively tall 37.0-inches. Ground clearance is a healthy 13.0-inches to keep the underside safe. The XR650L weighs in at 346 pounds fully ready to ride, with a full tank of petrol (2.8 gallons, which includes a 0.6-gallong reserve).

Honda helped invent the realm of dual-sport, specifically with this model and they've managed to build on the legend with steady improvements over the years. The 2012 XR650L represents the zenith of the bike's evolution.